Manchester United will feel title tension, says Chelsea's Guus Hiddink

Confident: Guus Hiddink believes Manchester United can still be caughtPhoto: AP

By Telegraph staff

9:28AM GMT 16 Mar 2009

Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over United at Old Trafford has breathed fresh life into the title race. And a day later, Chelsea ensured they kept up the pressure on leaders United thanks to Michael Essien's first-half winner against Manchester City which put them back into second place, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, and just four points behind United.

Hiddink is still extremely wary of United's game in hand but was boosted by Liverpool's demolition job on Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"If it was just four points it would be very close, but they have that game in hand," he said. "But it's clear that after the unexpected result that the tension has come back in the league.

"It's a boost. But if we want to track them, we have to keep on winning. That'll give tension to the end of the season, which is good for everyone.

"I don't know what Manchester United's reaction will be. When you are in the driver's seat and someone else is coming, you can get a little bit nervous. It is a little bit open now."

Hiddink’s side were rarely threatened by City, for whom Robinho – a summer target for Chelsea – was ineffective.

But Mark Hughes was quick to support his £32.5 million forward, saying: “It was difficult to get him into the game. You have to give the opposition credit for that because they see Robinho as a threat for us and they're going to try to deny him the space to have a positive impact.

"You can't just expect one player to carry the team. We have other players who have to stand up to the plate and be counted. Today wasn't Robinho's day.

"His general performances have been good. He's scored 11 Premier League goals and had a real impact for us.“